Banner Design
Banner-making is a form of graphic design, which revolves around the use of both text and images to create an effective, attractive message. If you're not familiar with graphic design principles, or don't think you've got a "good eye" for things like that, not to worry -- the basics are easy to grasp. Another great idea is to work on a banner with other members of your church -- two (or three or four) heads are better than one!
It may be helpful for you to start with a brainstorming session or a simple sketch of your banner. What would you like it to say? What sort of image are you thinking about using? Internet clipart resources such as FaithClipart.com can be a great resource for finding the perfect inspirational icon. After you've got a general idea, you can start to work on layout, perhaps with a half- or quarter-sized model, which is where design elements come into play. Think about the following when laying out your church banner:
Simplicity: The best banners are often simple and not too busy, with plenty of "blank space" (the area around your images and text). You should be able to take your banner and it's message in at a glance when viewing it from a distance. Be sure that your text is bold, bright, and large enough to read from far away.
Emotion in Color: Colors are a great way to convey emotions visually -- what emotion do you want to express? If it's joy or love, think about warm, bright colors like pinks, oranges, and reds. If it's sadness or repentance, think about cool, subdued colors like grays, purples, and blues. Think about using different shades of the same color for a nice "layered" effect.
Consistency: Does your text match the image? Do your colors match the text, image, and emotion? Does the text font match the message of the words? A good banner "hangs together" - it should be easy to explain any aspect of the design in light of the overall message.
Composition: Does the banner have a good "flow"? Pay attention to what you (and others!) look at first when you see the design, and where your eye goes from there. Does the banner seem balanced? If, for example, all the text and images were at the top, with nothing at the bottom, that might make a banner unbalanced.
Are the different design elements "tied together" through color, sizing, or a repeating motif or theme? Triangles are important for composition -- can you see triangles by connecting the different design elements in your banner with imaginary lines?
Working with Church Banner Companies
There are lots of companies ready and willing to help you with creating the perfect church banner. Some simply sell supplies, such as banner patterns, precut letters, back bars and support poles, and banner trim. Others only need an idea from you to begin the process of creating an entire banner based upon your suggestions.
In either case, do your best to choose a reputable firm. Find out how long the company has been in business - five years or more is often the mark of a successful organization. If the business has a website, does it have a professional appearance?
For companies who create the banner for you, find out about their process. Will they require a sketch from you to get started? How many options for critique and revision will you have before deciding on a final product. What sort of costs can you expect for the creation and the shipping?
Next, we'll learn about banner materials and special designing tips in How to Make Church Banners, Part 2.